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Kiwis survive to fight another day
Wellington ton a stepping stone for Rahane: Amre
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U-19 World Cup: Lanka, South Africa in quarters Dubai, February 16 Sri Lanka and South Africa progressed to the quarterfinals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup after recording contrasting victories. Sri Lanka overcame 1998 champion England by one wicket at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in a match of fluctuating fortunes to become the first side from Group D to progress to the knock-out stage.
Williams aims to dispel anxieties in Dubai
Messi tops Di Stefano as Barca beat Vallecano
Mourinho's ‘failure’ jibe comes back to bite him
Om Prakash wins gold at Asian meet
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Kiwis survive to fight another day
Wellington, February 16 McCullum, troubled with what appeared to be injuries to his left shoulder and right elbow, blasted the only six of his innings over long on off Ishant Sharma to bring up the milestone about 45 minutes before the end of play. The 32-year-old McCullum was 114 not out at stumps having shared in an unbroken 158-run partnership with wicketkeeper BJ Watling (52) that guided the hosts to 252 for five and stalled India's drive for victory at the Basin Reserve. “It was hard work out there,” McCullum told Radio Sport. “I thought they bowled brilliantly and at five for 90 (odd), things weren't looking so good. “Thankfully BJ and I put together a partnership which was undefeated at the end of the day.” Corey Anderson was the only wicket to fall during the final two sessions, having joined McCullum at the resumption of play following the lunch break after New Zealand had slumped to 87 for four in the final over of the morning session. Anderson had tried to work Ravindra Jadeja into the leg-side only to get a leading edge and it ballooned back to the left-arm spinner. Anderson's dismissal reduced the hosts to 94 for five and in danger of not seeing out a sun-drenched day, before Watling and McCullum dropped anchors and took their side through two sessions to ensure they would be back for a fourth day. The normally free-flowing McCullum faced 237 balls and had been batting for just under six hours while Watling was even more obdurate with his 52 coming from 208 deliveries. He had been at the crease for more than four hours. “It's what the team required and as captain that's what you try and achieve,” McCullum added. “You're not always going to do it, but you have to try and work your game to the situation. “I was just pleased to get through to the end of the day with five down. We have got a lot more ground to cover tomorrow.” New Zealand had resumed the day on 24 for one, a deficit of 222 runs, and slumped further into the mire when Zaheer Khan grabbed two early wickets to put India firmly in charge of the match. The 35-year-old left-armer had the ball move slightly away off the seam to catch the thinnest of outside edges of both Kane Williamson (seven) and Hamish Rutherford (35) to reduce the hosts to 52 for three inside the first hour. Debutant Tom Latham was then dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the final over before lunch for 29, having avoided the dreaded pair in his first Test when he punched Zaheer through point for two runs. India must win the match to level the two-Test series after New Zealand won the first game at Eden Park by 40 runs and McCullum said he felt while the visitors were still in the ascendancy the match could still turn the home side's way.
“Being five down was key for us. If we had been six or seven down, I think the Test was over. It was a big couple of hours at the end of the day there," said McCullum, hoping they could still save the match.
— Agencies Scoreboard New Zealand 1st innings India 1st innings New Zealand 2nd innings P. Fulton lbw b Khan 1 H. Rutherford c Dhoni b Khan 35 K. Williamson c Dhoni b Khan 7 T. Latham c Dhoni b Shami 29 B. McCullum not out 114 C. Anderson c & b Jadeja 2 BJ Watling not out 52 Extras:: (b-2, lb-6, nb-4) 12 Total: (for five wkts, 99 overs) 252 Fall of wickets: 1-1 2-27 3-52 4-87 5-94 Bowling Sharma 23-3-63-0, Khan 25-8-60-3, Shami 25-4-72-1, Jadeja 26-6-49-1 We’re in good position to win: Pujara
Wellington: New Zealand's spectacular fightback in the ongoing third Test was helped to an extent by dropped catches but Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara today defended his teammates, saying their fielding has been “fantastic” for most part of the trip. “If you look at both the Test matches, we have taken so many good catches. Not only on this trip, but in South Africa also, the Indian fielding has been fantastic. We have effected many run-outs and held many good catches. So you are bound to drop a few catches here and there,” said Pujara, defending his mates. “It has been a fantastic game so far with many turns. But we are still in a very good position. If we can get a couple of quick wickets early on tomorrow, a lot of time is available. We are happy with the way things have shaped up. “We could have been happier with a couple of more wickets but we are in a good position and in with a good chance to win this Test match,” he added. The Kiwis almost lost their way before recovering through a fine partnership of 158 runs for the sixth wicket between McCullum (114 not out) and Watling (52 not out). “We have to give credit to their batsmen. The way they batted was really good. Brendon batted well and that partnership was very crucial for them. We tried our best but they were the winners in that last session. Like I said earlier, if we can get a couple early wickets then we can go through the tail-enders,” he said.
— PTI |
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Wellington ton a stepping stone for Rahane: Amre
Mumbai, February 16 “He had to wait for 16 Tests (as a reserve) for his first Test appearance (against Australia at Delhi last year when he fell for 7 after a poor shot). He was then dropped and it was a difficult phase in his career,” said Amre, who has guided Rahane since he was 17. The 25-year-old Rahane hit a superb 118 in only his fifth Test and also forged a century stand by weathering the second new ball in the company of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to help India take a big first innings lead over New Zealand. “He had to wait for his chance and he did very well in South Africa when he got it. To come off from that tour with a plus-60 average is great. And this century is extremely important for his career. He timed the ball exquisitely,” he said. Amre, who made a fine hundred on Test debut in Durban in 1992, recalled how he had asked Rahane to undergo a short coaching stint before the latter got the golden chance to play in his maiden Test match against Australia. It apparently worked as the youngster made a good half century for Mumbai (83) against Rest of India in the subsequent Irani Cup game but flopped by playing an extravagant shot in his first Test at Delhi and lost his spot in the next series against the West Indies.
— PTI |
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U-19 World Cup: Lanka, South Africa in quarters Dubai, February 16 South Africa recorded a comfortable 45-run victory over Canada at Abu Dhabi Oval 1 to seal a place in the next round from Group C. In the other results of the day, the West Indies outplayed Zimbabwe by 167 runs and New Zealand outsmarted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 112 runs. In one of the closest finishes in the history of the age-group competition, Sri Lanka sealed victory with one wicket and seven balls to spare. This was after Sri Lanka had looked down and out in its 231-run chase when it collapsed to 160/7 in 35 overs and then needed nine runs with one wicket remaining. Thilaksha Sumanasiri (43) and number-nine AK Tyronne (20) put on 53 runs for the eighth wicket to take the score to 213 before Sumanasiri perished with Lanka still requiring 18 runs. Tyronne followed Sumanasiri nine runs later to leave his side needing nine runs from 17 deliveries. But Anuk Fernando (10 not out) and Lakshan Jayasinghe (four not out) finished it with with seven balls remaining. — PTI Brief scores Sri Lanka U-19s 231 for 9 (Samarawickrama 82, Sumanasiri 43) beat England U-19s 230 for 9 (Tattersall 95, Anuk 3-49) by one wicket.
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BCCI threatened me for opposing ICC overhaul: Zaka Lahore, February 16 “We could not have supported anything that went against our interests and our cricket,” he said. Ashraf was removed from his post last week by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for “mishandling Pakistan's case in the changes brought in the ICC” and was replaced by Najam Sethi. Pakistan had abstained from the voting in the ICC board meeting, in which the big three — India, Australia and England — got a majority of powers in the sport's governing body. Ashraf said the PCB's governing board was twice taken into confidence regarding Pakistan's official stance on the issue and it said Pakistan should not support the structural changes. Ashraf said that, as chairman, he had always tried to have a cordial relationship with India and pushed for resumption of bilateral ties. “That is why we agreed to send our team to India last December for the short series without any financial rewards for us,” he added. — PTI
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Lavillenie vaults over Bubka’s record
The previous mark of 6.15 was set by Sergei Bubka at the same event in Ukraine in 1993. “It's completely unbelievable,” Lavillenie, who took his head in his hands when he realized he had done it, later told French news channel BFM TV. “I will need time to get back down on Earth. It was a mythical record. I knew I had the potential to do try it. But beat it so early, that's something else.” “I did not know what was happening to me. The sound was crazy. These are huge emotions. I am in a new dimension.” Six-time outdoor world champion and 1988 Olympic gold medalist Bubka still holds the outdoor world record of 6.14. Bubka, who on Saturday morning had hoped Lavillenie would beat his record in his hometown of Donetsk if it had to happen one day, stood up and clapped his hands along with the cheering crowd after his mark was erased off the books. “That's fantastic. It's history and I'm very happy that Renaud does it here, in Donetsk, my town,” said Bubka, who came on the track to congratulate the Frenchman. “I'm happy because my job is to help athletes perform. Athletics are my life. I'm pleased for him and for athletics,” added Bubka, who is the vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations. Lavillenie, who won the Olympic title at the London Games and his first indoor world title the same year, has an outdoor best of 6.02 meters. He has so far failed to win an outdoor world title, collecting one silver and two bronze medals.
— Reuters |
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Finally, Tricolour flutters at Sochi
Sochi, February 16 Newly-elected Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president N Ramachandran was also present at the ceremony in Rosa Khutor. Keshavan, Himanshu Thakur and Nadeem
Iqbal took part in the opening ceremony on February 7 under the IOC flag as they entered the Games as Independent Olympic Participants. But after the IOC lifted the suspension on IOA following an election last week, they will be able to walk under the Tricolour at the closing ceremony slated for February 23. “It is a symbolic change but now we want to see real change. We need to see improvements in winter sports. They have the power to make a difference and they will start with a clean slate,” said the 33-year-old. Keshavan finished a disappointing 37th in the men’s singles luge competition on February 9. |
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Warriors bulldoze Rhinos
Mohali, February 16 After a few minutes of fast unsettled play, Ranchi took control dominating possession. Punjab sat back playing on the counter. Ranchi almost scored in the first five minutes but Sandeep flicked out a high deflection, off Jaap Stockmann’s pads, that looked like going in. Punjab quickly changed tactics and started defending high with their players swarming the opponent with the ball. It resulted in a couple of chances but no goal. Jake Whetton’s try went wide and later his deflection went over the top. The momentum shifted but only slightly. After a few half chances for both the teams, the Warriors, who were still searching for fast-breaks, were rewarded for their constant pressure. Sunil intercepted a pass at the 25 yard line and sped into the circle. A heavy touch took the ball wide to the right, tightening the angle, but his perfect wrong-foot strike sneaked into the far corner. For the next five to ten minutes – the end of the first quarter and start of the second – the home side dominated and should have extended the lead. Whetton and Affan Yousuf were guilty of delaying the final try. Most of the second quarter, though, was all about the Rhinos. They dominated possession, created more chances and scored two goals — both through penalty corners. Rohidas beat Stockmann low to the right. And then Ross beat the Dutchman for pace, firing the drag-flick left into the net. Stockmann on the whole was indomitable on the day, pulling off crucial saves.
Despite a minimal time on the ball, the Warriors found the equalizer, just before the halftime. Magicians break the jinx
Mumbai Magicians broke their winless streak
by defeating Kalinga Lancers 3-2. |
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Bayern relishing Arsenal clash after Freiburg rout
Berlin, February 16 Bayern midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice off deflected shots in the first half after defender Dante put Munich ahead in the 19th minute with a glancing header. Claudio Pizarro scored after a fine solo run from the left in the 88th minute to put Bayern 16 points clear of Bayer Leverkusen at the top with 59 points from 21 matches. Meanwhile, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri will miss the match at Arsenal with a thigh injury he picked up on Saturday. Third-placed Borussia Dortmund downed Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0.
— Agencies |
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Williams aims to dispel anxieties in Dubai
Dubai, February 16 Tennis' iconic female had planned to give the popular and lucrative tournament a miss until a back injury at last month's Australian Open altered the shape of her year. She needs to prove that it won't alter the shape of her career either. Serena has already confounded countless predictions by recovering from a hematoma and a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, and improbably regaining the world number one ranking a year ago. But injuries at this age, especially back injuries, can be a cause for anxiety. She is however making a decent job of trying to dispel that. She twittered a message this week precisely designed to show how vigorous she feels she is. “Hit today with @pmouratoglou not sure if he will want to hit with me again cauz I'm Crazy intense on practice court," it read, making a jokey reference to her French coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. But practice is one thing and hard matches on hard courts after an absence are quite another. Serena will be seeking reassurance about her fitness, and, almost as vital, match practice. Had she not accepted this last minute wild card and been prepared to travel to the Middle East she would have had gone two months without competition. — Agencies |
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Messi tops Di Stefano as Barca beat Vallecano
Madrid, February 16 Back to his best after returning from a two-month injury layoff in early January, Messi struck twice in Barca's 6-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp to take his total in Spain's top flight to 228 goals from 263 matches, one more than Real Madrid great Di Stefano managed in 329 games. Still only 26, Messi climbed above his Argentine compatriot to joint third on the all-time list behind record marksman Telmo Zarra (251) and Hugo Sanchez (234) and level with Raul. “I would like to think that Messi has still not completely recovered (from his injury),” Barca coach Gerardo Martino told a news conference. “If he wants to, he will break all the records that he likes,” added the Argentine, who hails from Messi's home town of Rosario. Barcelona, who play their Champions League last 16, first leg match at Manchester City on Tuesday, and Atletico, who visit AC Milan in the competition on Wednesday, have 60 points from 24 matches, ahead of Real Madrid.
— Agencies La Liga’s best
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Mourinho's ‘failure’ jibe comes back to bite him
Manchester, February 16 It is Wenger's side still in the cup, until Sunday at least when Arsenal hosts Liverpool in the fifth round. Mourinho, who Wenger accused initially of having a “fear to fair,” now has just two routes to silverware this season — the Premier League and Champions League. And after Saturday's 2-0 loss at City, Mourinho's public goading of Wenger on Friday came back to bite him when asked to explain Chelsea's capitulation at Etihad Stadium. “I don't think my team failed,” Mourinho quickly responded. Yet the way the latest Mourinho-Wenger spat has been interpreted has clearly irritated the Portuguese manager. “It is always the same guy, the bad guy,” Mourinho said.
— Agencies |
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Om Prakash wins gold at Asian meet
New Delhi, February 16 For Om Prakash, who is holding the outdoor national record at 20.69m, it was the second medal at this championship. Earlier, he had won a silver medal in the India-dominated 2008 edition at Doha, Qatar.
— PTI |
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Donetsk, February 16
